How do I convince my parents to get me baby chicks?

[Mybackyardpeepers]

My mom would give me chicks, she's all for it, but the problem is space and neighbors. But in another country (that we visit every year, and many family members live there) we have a large space where we plan to build a cabin AND have chicks. There are no neighbors, lots of space, and when we leave, caring family members that will accept taking care of the chickens. I won't be able to tame the chickens (since I go there once a year), and that's what I wanted to do: build a bond with one. There are much, much more predators there, but it's very common to have chickens in that country, so there's lots of experienced people (it's my mom's home country, and she has lots of experience since she grew up with having chickens). There's also enough space that she bought in the calm country-side in order to build a secure coop and run. Hopefully they do better there.

Like many have said, just keep showing your parents that you can be responsible. I am a mother of 4, all I expect out of my kids are that they try their best. Show responsibility for what they want. I know you can do it, just get a plan in place and take it one step and day at a time. Good luck.

 

[Mybackyardpeepers]

My mom would give me chicks, she's all for it, but the problem is space and neighbors. But in another country (that we visit every year, and many family members live there) we have a large space where we plan to build a cabin AND have chicks. There are no neighbors, lots of space, and when we leave, caring family members that will accept taking care of the chickens. I won't be able to tame the chickens (since I go there once a year), and that's what I wanted to do: build a bond with one. There are much, much more predators there, but it's very common to have chickens in that country, so there's lots of experienced people (it's my mom's home country, and she has lots of experience since she grew up with having chickens). There's also enough space that she bought in the calm country-side in order to build a secure coop and run. Hopefully they do better there.

Like many have said, just keep showing your parents that you can be responsible. I am a mother of 4, all I expect out of my kids are that they try their best. Show responsibility for what they want. I know you can do it, just get a plan in place and take it one step and day at a time. Good luck.

 

[Mvan42]

I could have missed this, but how old are you. Your talking about having chickens in another country but you are only there once a year. How will they be taken care of? Or are you planning on moving there.

I am all for kids learning responsibility by taking care of animals, but: 1. Your parents have to be willing financially to help and 2. Be willing to make sure they are being taken care of.

My kids are 11 and 13 and I have to check the 4 rabbits, 11 chickens and 2 kid goats every day to make sure my kids are caring for them properly.

So it’s not just you getting chicks it’s The Whole family. You need to consider that before you make a full decision on getting them.

 

[Mimi13]

So it’s not just you getting chicks it’s The Whole family. You need to consider that before you make a full decision on getting them.

Yeeuppp! That’s what I’m talking about!

 

[AquaDuck]

If your mom give you the go-ahead to get chicks, you should spend a lot of time researching safe coop options and get all houses and fences ready before you get the chickens. Having good, detailed plans ready will show your parents you're serious about this.
As you said you've previously had two flocks disappearing and problems with chickens in the neighbor's yard, so a secure coop and closed run would definitely be best. It's perfectly possible keeping chickens in a small yard, they don't need to free range all day. A spacious run filled with roosts, tree stumps, ladders, toys and treats will be good.

Also have the plan ready for everyday chores and emergencies/travel. Do you have anyone other than your parents that can help you? Any chicken-loving friends?

I'm super happy my mom let me get chickens when I was 15, it was the start of a life long love for poultry. But even though they were "my" chickens, she still had to help me build coops (multiple), feed them, collect eggs, drive me to pick up chicks etc. Animals are a family thing, your parents WILL be involved, and MUST want to have the animals themselves.

 

[Ghosty]

Build a coop and run. Then, talk about getting chickens. A lot of adults, including me, have made the mistake of getting the birds first and building the setup while they are in the brooder and grow pen. I ruined my first batch of guineas this way, because guineas need space and outdoors, and they came out skittish and untrusting of me. I wouldn't consider getting birds until you have a safe and adequate space for them. You need to be researching what coop you will build and how to make it safe, and concentrate on that. A lot of us around here are chicken nuts. We do a LOT of research. I have been an avid reader since I was young, and I am on this forum nearly every day. I free range my birds all day, but I have a large secure setup for them at night and during bad days in the winter. It sounds like free range isn't an option for you, so get that setup built! GL!

 

[Essentiallyokanaganmom]

I didn't see anyone do that! Those of us answering questions and giving helpful tips, read all the places where she said she was talking this through with her parents. We TRUST the parents to make the right choice for their child. I don't feel a need to "shore them up". I really don't understand all this negative puffery by adults on a child's thread. This is not an orphan. She obviously has loving, caring parents who are listening and taking responsibility. Can't we just be nice to the kid? In the end, after all her research, her parents convinced her it just wouldn't work where they live right now. She has family in the country where there is more space, who will raise her chickens for her, and she can visit once a year. Then someone attacked her for that. Good grief. This is a child. Be encouraging. Allow her own parents to be the parents. They are obviously actively involved and probably reading this thread and laughing their heads off.

Parents who know her and said NO. I dont think saying your parents are right is negativity, on the contrary why are you so invested in someone whose clearly been told NO and showing good reason for that answer to be told unrealistic answers to try and undermine what her parents already said. No one has attacked her they have brought up real points and concerns, only you have tried to attack everyone who points out reality.

 

[CHICKSARETHEBEST]

I could have missed this, but how old are you. Your talking about having chickens in another country but you are only there once a year. How will they be taken care of? Or are you planning on moving there.

I am all for kids learning responsibility by taking care of animals, but: 1. Your parents have to be willing financially to help and 2. Be willing to make sure they are being taken care of.

My kids are 11 and 13 and I have to check the 4 rabbits, 11 chickens and 2 kid goats every day to make sure my kids are caring for them properly.

So it’s not just you getting chicks it’s The Whole family. You need to consider that before you make a full decision on getting them.

My parents are ready to spend money on them and are willing to take care of them, but I said later on in the post that there are lots of family members in that country and they're willing to help take care of them (they live there). My mom says we'll just have to enjoy the chicks while we're over there.

 

[ValerieJ]

My parents are ready to spend money on them and are willing to take care of them, but I said later on in the post that there are lots of family members in that country and they're willing to help take care of them (they live there). My mom says we'll just have to enjoy the chicks while we're over there.

Good for you! I hope it works out!

 

[Yorkshire Coop]

Thank you to all who have participated in this thread. It is now closed to further replies.

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